Frank O’Hara

i once read his words
while standing in front
of a painting
of his face
most of
the witticisms
were in french

no wonder
the steelworkers
in pittsburgh
just go
to the movies.

John Dorsey is the former Poet Laureate of Belle, MO. He is the author of several collections of
poetry, including Which Way to the River: Selected Poems: 2016-2020 (OAC Books, 2020),
Pocatello Wildflower, (Crisis Chronicles Press, 2023), 100 Mornings, (Sacred Parasite, 2025),
and Trump Stamp, (Crisis Chronicles Press, 2026).

Intermission

Every morning the curtain goes up
I open as a young man,
with frequent and worsening infirmities,
medication for blood pressure, cholesterol,
blood thinners for AFib – and coffee.

The senses are atrophying like the limbs,
I avoid any strenuous activity,
rehearse, find a seat and avoid mirrors.

New is what is important, entertaining.
The past, time, young, old, even lately,
are not issues, as youth projects itself
into the next, the space directly
in front, today’s stage.

My parents were old, now long gone,
don’t preoccupy my day any longer,
but they are visiting lately in dreams.

Jergens eases the contention of the parts,
and Visine takes the paste out, so I can see to
move out of the way of the now,
the tip of the pen – read today’s lines.

The curtain goes down, even the vibrant
need a nap, there is a faint applause
from the rear seats in the balcony,
and a reminder to take an Ambien.

(Originally published by Constellations, December ‘24)

 

Craig Kirchner has been nominated three times for a Pushcart, and has a book of poetry, Roomful of Navels. He’s been published in Chiron Review, Fixator Press, Main Street Rag and more than 100 other journals.